Christian Witness Commons

Freshmen & Sophomores

Just across the street from campus, Christian Witness Commons (CWC) is the newest addition to the Sacred Heart Universities residential facilities. It houses sophomores and freshmen in 2014-15. It consists of three buildings: Jean Donovan Hall, Oscar Romero Hall and Dorothy Day Hall. CWC is home to Holy Grounds coffee and sandwich shop and a fitness center located in Donovan Hall. Christian Witness Commons offers suite-style living, with each suite offering a kitchenette, study lounge, and comfortable living space that gives sophomore students greater independence while still keeping them connected to SHU's campus. ‌‌‌

Archbishop Oscar Romero was born in San Miguel, El Salvador. He was ordained a priest in 1942 and was consecrated as an Archbishop in 1942, with the hope that he might help resolve overwhelming violent tensions in the area. He adopted and preached the thought of liberation theology, and spoke publicly on behalf of the poor and oppressed. Archbishop Romero was assassinated while saying Mass on March 24, 1980. His death was felt around the world, as people today work for social justice in his name.

Who is Jean Donovan?

Jean Donovan was born and raised in Westport, CT, but later moved to Ohio. After a career in the business field she took interest in the Diocese of Cleveland's mission project in El Salvador in 1979. She would become the Mission's Coordinator. She was very involved with the work of Archbishop Oscar Romero and healing the then troubled region of El Salvador. Jean Donovan was murdered along with 3 others on December 2, 1980. Their deaths became a martyrdom for the poor and oppressed of El Salvador, as well as many faithful Christians in the United States.

Who is Dorothy Day?

Dorothy Day was born in Brooklyn in 1897 and raised in Chicago. She started her career as a journalist and strongly advocated women's rights; she participated in demonstrations and protests for such causes. When she converted to Catholicism in 1933, she started the magazine, The Catholic Worker. It continually sold many copies in the 1930s and 1940s. She promoted the idea of neutral pacifism and moved back to New York to start an organization to help and feed the homeless. She died in 1980 and after a lifetime of volunteer poverty, had no money left to her name to pay for the funeral. The total cost of the funeral was covered by the Archdiocese of New York.